Tigabu Redae Alle | Forestry | Editorial Board Member

Dr. Tigabu Redae Alle | Forestry | Editorial Board Member

Amhara Agricultural Research Institute | Ethiopia

Tigabu Redae Alle is an Ethiopian forestry researcher with more than a decade of professional experience in forest science, biodiversity, ecosystem management, and climate-change–oriented forestry research. Since 2013, he has served at the Sirinka Agricultural Research Center (SARC) under the Amhara Agricultural Research Institute, progressing from junior roles to Associate Researcher in Forestry and holding leadership responsibilities such as Coordinator of the Forestry and Agroforestry Research Directorate. He holds a PhD in Forest Sciences from Sokoine University of Agriculture, an MSc in Forest Management and Climate Change, and a BSc in General Forestry. contributing to journals such as Trees, Forests and People, Heliyon, Abyssinia Journal of Science and Technology, and Ethiopian Journal of Science & Technology. His research focuses on agroforestry systems, invasive pests, forest resource management, Ziziphus fruit tree species, Eucalyptus pest ecology, climate change adaptation, biodiversity assessment, and sustainable forest utilization. He has received prestigious scholarships from EEFRI, SIDA, ILRI, and WCDI, along with certificates of appreciation for training and community contributions. Tigabu aims to advance sustainable forestry solutions, strengthen climate-resilient landscapes, and support rural livelihoods through science-based forest management.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Getachew, G., Wudu, D., Alamire, G., Kasahun, H., Ayalew, A., Redae, T., et al. (2021). Adaptability and growth performance of introduced bamboo species in North East Ethiopia. Abyssinia Journal of Science and Technology,

Redae, T., Andrew, S. M., Karlsson, M. F., & Gure, A. (2024). Morphological traits of fruits and seeds of Ziziphus tree species growing in different land uses in Ethiopia. Heliyon,

Ayalew, A., Kassahun, H., Wudu, M., Alamarie, G., & Redae, T. et al. (2025). Community practices and conservation concerns: A study on the utilisation and management of Terminalia brownii in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Discover Agriculture,

Getachew, G., Ayalew, A., Kassahun, H., Tesfaye, A., Alene, M., Redae, T., et al. (2024). Evaluate the adaptability of Eucalyptus species in the highlands of the Amhara region. Heliyon,

Alemu, A. A., Ayalew, G. G., Mengistie, H. K., Sisay, D. W., Menber, G. A., Alle, T. R., et al. (2024). Effects of seedling nursery lifespan and pot size on growth and survival rate of Grevillea robusta in Eastern Amhara.

Chala Hussen | Agri-Food System | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Chala Hussen | Agri-Food System | Best Researcher Award

Ambo University | Ethiopia

Chala Hailu Hussen is an Ethiopian academic and researcher specializing in Agricultural Economics, currently serving as Assistant Professor and Research & Community Service Coordinator at the College of Agriculture & Veterinary Science, Ambo University, Ethiopia. He holds a BSc and MSc in Agricultural Economics from Haramaya University and is pursuing a PhD in Agri-food Systems at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy, focusing on agricultural transformation. His professional journey includes teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, agricultural production economics, and climate change economics, along with supervising more than twenty MSc theses and serving as examiner and chairperson in defense boards. He has actively contributed to research on rural credit, market information, farm input commercialization, cluster farming, and climate adaptation strategies, publishing several scientific papers with an h-index of 2, 7 documents, and over 35 citations. In addition, he has participated in national and international training programs on climate information services, decision support systems, and rural development planning, enhancing his expertise in agricultural resilience and sustainability. Recipient of various certificates and recognitions, Chala continues to advance research and education in agricultural economics, with a strong commitment to capacity building, policy engagement, and promoting sustainable agricultural systems.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Hailu, C., Canali, G., & Tabaglio, V. (2025). High-value farm product transformation in contract marketing: Evidence from smallholder farmers in central Ethiopia. Environment, Development and Sustainability.

Besha, T. B., Fikadu, M., & Chala, H. (2022). Marketable supply of honey: Evidence from farmers households in Ethiopia. Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development.

Alemayehu, G., Rikitu, A., & Hailu, C. (2022). Producers’ participation decision in tomato and onion marketing with level of participation in Ejersa Lafo District of West Shewa Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. Malaysian Business Management Journal.

Hussen, C. H., & Geleta, F. T. (2021). Factors affecting smallholder farmers’ participation in cluster crop production: Evidence from selected districts of West Shewa Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture.

Wakjira, M., Temesgen, F., Hailu, C., & Wegari, D. (2021). The economic impacts of COVID-19 on micro and small enterprises: Empirical evidences from Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture.

Hussen, C. (2018). Factors affecting credit use for rural farming at household level: Evidence from smallholder farmers of Toke-Kutaye district.

Hussen, C. (2017). Effect of access to market information services on supply of major vegetables: Evidence from farm households of Ambo and Toke-Kutaye Districts, West Shewa, Ethiopia. Information and Knowledge Management.

Saliha Ahmad | Plant Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Saliha Ahmad | Plant Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Case Western Reserve University | United States

Saliha Ahmad is a PhD candidate in Biology whose research focuses on plant–microbe interactions, particularly microbial community dynamics under biotic and abiotic stresses. She has an h-index of 5, with approximately 193 citations to date (Google Scholar, ResearchGate). With an MPhil and MSc in Plant Sciences (both top-grade) and a strong undergraduate foundation in chemistry, botany, and zoology, she is currently pursuing her doctoral studies at Case Western Reserve University. Her expertise spans field sampling, molecular biology techniques such as DNA/RNA extraction, sequencing, gene expression, and bioinformatics, including microbial diversity analyses and statistical modeling in R (ResearchGate). Her research interests include the influence of water and nutrient stress on beneficial microbial assembly, microbial detoxification of pesticides, soil microbiome roles in plant health, and applications for sustainable agriculture and conservation. She has contributed publications on microbial detoxification of dimethoate, heavy metal biosorption by bacteria, and the role of poultry manure in crop growth and yield (ResearchGate, American Chemical Society Publications). She has also been recognized with multiple grants and awards for research excellence, travel, and merit, highlighting her growing recognition in the field (ResearchGate). Overall, Saliha Ahmad represents an emerging scholar who integrates empirical, laboratory, and computational approaches to address pressing challenges at the interface of microbiology, ecology, and agriculture, with a steadily increasing global impact reflected in her publications and citations.

Featured Publications

“Bacillus thuringiensis PM25 ameliorates oxidative damage of salinity stress in maize via regulating growth, leaf pigments, antioxidant defense system, and stress …”

“Effects of poultry manure on the growth, physiology, yield, and yield-related traits of maize varieties”

“Microbial detoxification of dimethoate through mediated hydrolysis by Brucella sp. PS4: molecular profiling and plant growth-promoting traits”

“Dimethoate residues in Pakistan and mitigation strategies through microbial degradation: a review”
“Biosorption potential of Bacillus anthracis PM21 for the sequestration of cadmium, chromium, and nickel from contaminated water”

“Fungal communities driven by Rhododendron species correlate with pathogen protection against Phytophthora cinnamomi”

Sonali Rajput | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Sonali Rajput | Plant Breeding | Best Researcher Award

HNBGU-Srinagar, Uttarakhand | India

Author Profile

Orcid ID
Google Scholar

🌟  Suitable for this Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sonali Rajput, a dynamic researcher in Seed Science and Technology, is an ideal nominee for the Best Researcher Award in Plant Breeding and Seed Innovation. With a strong academic background from SKUAST-Jammu and HNB Garhwal University, Dr. Rajput has consistently demonstrated excellence through her extensive hands-on experience in molecular techniques, seed viability assessments, and bioinformatics. She has actively contributed to research with multiple poster presentations, national and international conference participations, and training in CRISPR/Cas9 and R programming. Her work emphasizes sustainable agriculture, seed priming, genetic diversity, and climate-resilient crop development. A keen advocate of organic seed systems, she also brings practical exposure through internships and on-farm engagement. Her ability to merge scientific rigor with field applicability highlights her as a pioneering young scientist committed to advancing agricultural biotechnology for sustainable food systems. Her contributions make her an outstanding candidate for this prestigious honor.

🎓 Education 

Sonali Rajput has cultivated a solid academic foundation in agricultural sciences. She earned her Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Agriculture from SKUAST-Jammu (2017-2021), followed by a Master of Science in Seed Science and Technology from the same institution (2021-2023). Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Seed Science and Technology at Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Uttarakhand (2024). Her academic journey is marked by an intensive engagement in both theoretical and practical aspects of seed biology, genetic improvement, and molecular techniques. Her education includes advanced coursework and hands-on experience in beekeeping, organic farming, CRISPR/Cas9, and statistical tools in R and Python. These academic achievements are complemented by certifications in biotechnology, organic farming, and programming, which provide her with a multidisciplinary edge in the field of plant breeding and seed research.

 💼  Professional Experience

Sonali Rajput’s professional journey is enriched with a series of impactful internships and field engagements. She has completed the RAWE program, working with farmer families to understand grassroots agricultural challenges. Internships with JKMPCL, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Jammu, and Rapture Biotech International Ltd. have honed her skills in molecular biology, seed viability, and organic seed production. Her elective course in Apiculture provided additional value to her sustainable agriculture toolkit. Through participation in over 10 national conferences, workshops, and certificate programs, Sonali has developed an interdisciplinary approach blending practical fieldwork with high-end laboratory research. Her technical arsenal includes microbial isolation, PCR amplification, DNA/protein quantification, UV-visible spectrophotometry, and statistical tools for genetic diversity and correlation analysis. She is proficient in MS Office, R programming, and Python, which she utilizes for bioinformatics and plant genomics data analysis. This diverse exposure positions her as a future leader in plant breeding and seed technology.

🏅 Awards and Recognition 

Sonali Rajput has distinguished herself through various academic and research contributions. She was selected for poster presentations at top-tier conferences, such as the 5th International Conference on Climate Change and the National Conference on Coastal Ecosystem Management. She earned a certificate of merit in the AGRIVISION-2023 Convention and coordinated the SAHSI Self Defence Training program at SKUAST-Jammu. Her abstract on “Nano Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture” was appreciated at a national level. She has successfully completed numerous online courses on advanced topics like CRISPR/Cas9, organic farming, Python for genetics, and R programming. Her dedication to continuous learning and dissemination of agricultural innovations has earned her appreciation from organizing committees, peers, and faculty. These accolades not only reflect her academic merit but also her leadership potential and commitment to sustainable agricultural development and scientific research. She continues to grow as an exemplary figure in plant breeding and seed science.

🌍Research skills On Plant Breeding

Sonali possesses a robust suite of research skills essential for advanced work in plant breeding and seed technology. She is proficient in microbial, molecular, and seed technology methods. Her experience includes isolating endophytic bacteria, performing PCR, and quantifying DNA/proteins using spectrophotometry. She is adept in advanced statistical analysis techniques such as D2 clustering, PCA, path coefficient analysis, and genetic heritability estimation using R and Python. Sonali’s ability to perform seed viability tests, priming, organic seed production, and seed physiology studies positions her as an expert in seed development. She has hands-on experience with soil nitrogen analysis, chlorophyll measurement, and biochemical assays. Her research interest lies at the intersection of plant molecular biology, crop improvement, and sustainability. She integrates lab results with field data, bringing a holistic approach to agricultural research. Her capacity to analyze and visualize data ensures research outcomes are precise, relevant, and impactful for plant breeding advancements.

📖Publications

Advancement in Latest Plant Hormone – The Brassinosteroids
  • Authors: Aditi, Chaitanya Tiwari, Sonali Rajput

  • Journal: Agri Articles

  • Year: 2025

Effect of Seed Priming on Germination and Seedling Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
  • Authors: Shardul Pandey, Narendra Meghwal, Kartik Agrawat, Sonali Rajput

  • Journal: Agri Articles

  • Year: 2025

Innovations in Breeding and Biofortification for Advancement in Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.) Production and Nutritional Enhancement
  • Authors: Masoom Ankit Patel, Chaitanya Tiwari, Pragnya Rout, Sonali Rajput

  • Journal: Agri Magazine

  • Year: 2025

Assessment of Genetic Variability, Correlation, and Path Coefficient Analysis of Yield and Yield Components Traits in Urdbean [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]
  • Authors: Sonali Rajput, Anjani Kumar Singh, Sanjeev Kumar, Vishal Raina, Amrish Vaid

  • Journal: Vegetos

  • Year: 2025

The Role of Groundnut in Sustainable Agriculture: Breeding for Reduced Input Dependency
  • Authors: Chaitanya Tiwari, Masoom Ankit Patel, Sonali Rajput, Aviral Upadhyay, Shreeram Nitharwal

  • Journal: Agri Magazine

  • Year: 2025